family time

brian and i have decided that our parents have everything they need.

except, of course, for more time with us.

so for gifts we are offering family outings

instead of, let's say, a new tie.

this year for mom's birthday we bought

james taylor tickets at starlight

for the six of us.

she loved it.

plus it gave my dad a chance to buy ronnie and brian $8 beers

while jaime and i decided to live it up right and go for the $6 snow cone.

clearly, this is how starlight remains in business.

i think it was nice for the six of us to do something together,

even though it was sad dropping this little one off at a babysitters.

notice she had to dress like her mamma?

so cute.

now we're going to have to come up with lots of family

outings for future gifts for my parents.

should be fun.

the gift that just keeps on giving

i went to hermann, mo over the weekend for a bachelorette

and had the most amazing time.

but before i delve into all of that

i want to share what i got the bride for her shower gift.

it takes a little bit of time

but it's super easy

and sweet.

let's just say there were only a few dry eyes left in the the room

once she opened it.

i saw it done a couple years back

with my sorority sisters

and i even i cried.

so since my bff, lindsay

had never seen it

and also loves wine

it seemed perfect.

first buy six different bottles of wine/champagne.

then type up the following poems

and print them out on craft paper.

tie the little poems to the wine bottles with ribbon.

i bought a basket and stuffed it with tissue paper

and wa lah:

the perfect bridal shower gift.

Wedding Night - Champagne

The night you have dreamed of is finally here
The future surrounds you with hope and yet fear
You’ve wanted so long to find your perfect mate
Sip this wine and toast this perfect date
The night is meant for you to share
Enjoy each other – a perfect pair!!

First Fight - Red Wine

(** i actually found wine called 'the mad housewife' - ha!**)
When fights occur and tempers get hot
Pour a glass and be thankful for what you’ve got
If you always agreed it would certainly be a bore
And by asking for Lindsay’s hand, Turnbow is surely in for more!

First Anniversary - White Wine

Been married a year, where did the time go?
No longer newlyweds, now you are pros
Hope the days found you in good health and good spirit
Keep saying I love you – one always needs to hear it!
Now toast this first date, it’s certainly not the last
And as you build your future don’t ever forget the past!

First Dinner Party - White Wine

(**i bought blackberry wine. you can do whatever.**)
Open your home to entertain and eat
Catch up with old friends and new ones to meet
When the night is over share this bottle of wine
But don’t sit down yet – it’s clean up time!!

First Christmas - Beaujolais

A wise man said wine is better than beer
And now is the season for lots of holiday cheer
So pop the cork and relax a bit,
And when the night is through,
Kiss goodnight, close your eyes
And Santa will be good to you!

First Baby - Sparkling Grape Juice

The news that a baby will soon share your life
will make you a mother, not only a wife
You’ll see it through good times and sometimes the bad
Lindsay the loving mother, and Turnbow the dearest dad
Since this is just juice, Lindsay can still have a glass.
Sit back and relax – nine months will quickly pass!

helpful hints

i have a couple things i need help with.

1.  has anyone seen these items in a store?

i really want to add both of them to my closet

but i can't actually find them.

i remember everyone had one of these in the 90's.

i wish i held on to mine.

i think they're called baja jackets?

if you see one.

let me know.

2. do most people pencil in their eyebrows?

i feel like mine might be neglected.

no waxing or penciling in.

maybe this is something i should be looking into.

tips or products that i should try?

3. hair removal on the face.

another thing i do not do that maybe i should.

one of the girls i work with was talking about it

and it does seem like it would be prettier

and your make-up would look better without.

but the upkeep seems daunting.

anyone for or against?



alright girls,

time to spill it.

a little girl

no longer a baby.

madeline turned two

about a month ago.

and we celebrated a few weeks ago

in her new house.

with lots of family

and a couple of little friends.

she is so much fun to be around

and turning into quite the smart little toddler.

i can't wait to meet her new baby sister

due in just one month

and see madeline in her new role,

big sister.

but for now,

she is quite the comfortable

being the center of attention.

her friends were excited to show her the toy they got her,

which she loved.

 she danced over her presents

and hit uncle ronnie in the head with a balloon

she sat with mamma

 and colored on top of the table

with my grandma.

while the rest of us watched.

she was one happy little girl.

especially when she opened up her mints.

happy birthday madeline!

feather nails

i saw on E! a new trend:

feather nails.

so i tried it.

ehhh,

not sure i liked it.

i think it would have been cuter

if i had used brighter colored feathers.

since my feathers were brown, black and white

from a distance, it looked like i had cheetah nails,

and that ain't my thing.

but it was pretty easy.

i did a coat of clear nail polish

applied the feather,

then did another coat of clear nail polish.

actually i did the top coat of gold glitter,

but you could do anything.

i cut off the ends of the feather so they would fit on my nails.

and let it dry.

you could also do it with a colored nail polish

and a top it with a clear coat.

lots of options.

super fly

ronnie and i will celebrate our four year anniversary this fall.

i feel that in four years, you get to know a person.

not much surprises me anymore.

i mean, sure, every once in awhile you get a glimpse at a something you didn't know.

for instance, while on our road trip to colorado, ronnie busted out his love

for phil collins and his greatest hit cd.

um, no.

but recently, ronnie dropped a bomb.

my beer drinking, truck driving, harley riding, dirty bird husband

would like to incorporate turquoise jewelry into his style.

but only after the age of fifty.

yes, that's right.

ronaldo is preplanning his accessories 20 years in advance.

and not well, i might add.

now i have 20 years to talk him out of it.

or who knows, maybe by the time we reach our silver anniversary,

i'll be the one buying it for him as a gift.

but i doubt it.

golden

golden was a nice change.

definitely out of the city.

there are no chains here -

no mcdonald's or walmart.

it's all cafes, diners, and local stores.

in fact, you could find these "buy local" stickers most places:

i loved

the little river that runs through town,

coors tour,

lookout mountain,

buffalo bill's grave

and, of course,

red rocks.

it was the perfect ending to our trip.